Sadly, I think I may be one.
People seem to be getting thicker, not reading newspapers, and more importantly, not keeping an eye on those we (apparently) choose to run the country on our behalf.

As Jefferson (I think, could have been Lincoln) once said that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

And without people watching, we now have RIPA, PACE, more security cameras than you can shake a stick at, apparently more speed cameras than necessary, GCHQ wanting to nosey at our email, you get the idea.

1984 is a work of fiction, but looking from a certain point of view, it seems to have become a manual instead.
( jim_bob can herd cats., Thu 3 Sep 2009, 9:09, 3 replies)

Yep fair point....
....about the increase in surveillance etc. but there's no conspiracy involved really is there? It's just successive govts making up new legislation where existing legislation would do perfectly well.
( spesh., Thu 3 Sep 2009, 10:05, closed)

True.
But sometimes, I do have to wonder. It's a known fact that a large portion of our MPs are self-serving, money grubbing bastards, many of them sitting on the board of directors for various companies. And not forgetting Darth Mandelson, of course.

So perhaps, it's not too much of an inference that they would do everything they can to stay in power, even if it's only to line their own pockets.
( jim_bob can herd cats., Thu 3 Sep 2009, 10:23, closed)

indeed...
...especially with the "Civil Emgencies Act" which effectively gives them absolute power, and the power to hold off an election indefinetly.

It's not just 1984 they've been using as a blueprint for government - it's Animal Farm as well.
(dchurch bah, Thu 3 Sep 2009, 11:57, closed)